Van Gaal urges Man Utd players to meet their goals

Louis van Gaal believes Manchester United have improved since conceding five goals against today’s opponents earlier in the season, but as Leicester City come to Old Trafford today, he admits he would like to see his own side scoring a few more goals.

“We actually played a good first half against Leicester; that’s why we went 3-1 up, but a match lasts 90 minutes and when they scored their second goal we lost our team organisation,” the Manchester United manager said. “As a top club you have to try to control a game, especially when you are 3-1 in front. Even when things are happening in a wrong way you still have to control the game, and that was the first time we did not manage it.”

Disappointment

Robin van Persie spoke recently of his disappointment that neither he nor the team are scoring as many goals as usual this season, and supporters have also expressed concern that Van Gaal’s search for a better balance in the side has resulted in a lack of attacking flair and ambition.

“It is true we have not been scoring enough goals, but there is a reason for that,” Van Gaal said. “We have been playing teams who put 10 men behind the ball and make space very narrow. We are working to increase our ball speed, the speed of our passing, to try and counteract that.

“Then if you look at the last two games where we haven’t scored a goal, one was an FA Cup tie away from home and the other was against a very organised Southampton team.

“I thought we played a very cultured game against Southampton, we were the better team and created several chances, but we didn’t take them. Southampton had one chance and took it. That can be hard to take but that’s football.

“As José Mourinho has just said, the beauty of the game lies in the fact that the better team does not always win. There are several ways you can win a game, but finishing your chances is usually one of the most important.

“We have a lot of attractive players but we have to score more goals.”

With Michael Carrick out for a month with a muscle rupture, and Darren Fletcher given permission to talk to West Ham, there could be a chance against Leicester for Ander Herrera to make a rare midfield start.

Relatively little has been seen of the £29 million summer signing from Athletic Bilbao this season, though Van Gaal was dismissive of suggestions he was unhappy.

“You only want to ask about players who are not in the team, never the ones who are playing,” he said. “Three weeks ago it was [Radamel] Falcao, now it’s Herrera. I can only line up 11 players for each game. I am not interested in the £29 million price tag, Herrera is an important player just like Paddy McNair is an important player. Herrera cost a lot of money, McNair cost nothing, but it is my job to treat them the same.”

Relegation battle

Meanwhile, Roberto Martinez has conceded for the first time that Everton are mired in a relegation battle and admits the reaction will determine players‘ long-term futures at the club.

Everton travel to a resurgent Crystal Palace today level on points with a team on its third manager since August, having won once in 13 matches.

Amid the furore over Kevin Mirallas's missed penalty as Everton's appalling run continued in their last game, against West Bromwich Albion, there was also clear dissent against Martinez when he withdrew the lively Muhamed Besic, who he claimed was injured. – (Guardian Service)